The purpose of this study is to examine the number of history books published in England during the 16th century, and attempts to estimate who were the publishers, authors and printers, and intended and actual readers. The main data source for this study was the electronic version of the "English Short Title Catalogue," provided by the Research Libraries Group. All books dealing with history in that period were extracted, and a search was conducted separately on each year. A review of the entire collection of "history books" using content analysis lead to an estimation of what should be considered "chronicles." The study concludes that during the 16th century there was a slow and persistent growth of history literature. Historical events, not the success or downfall of the publishing industry, affected the history publications. "Chronicle" is defined as follows: "a continual practical narration of compiled miscellaneous random and unconnected facts from the most available number of sources in a chronological order in an attempt to picture martial, ecclesiastical, governing and private affairs in an uncritical manner." Appendices include tables and charts for the research and five English history books (and copies of their title pages) of the 16th century located in the Kent State Library. (Contains 34 references.) (AEF)

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